ANOTHER DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1932, Page 3

ANOTHER DISPUTE

PLUM BERO /AND ;. IGAiSFJTTERb. > ' •' *' negotiations break down. AUCKLAND, Sept. 27, As the union docl'ined-,. .to accept less than the present, wages, and the employers refuse! to allow 1 -' the . (j-rest-ion to, te referred to««ritbe' : Arbitration Court,. conciliation proceedings in the plumbing and gas-fitting trade dispute brtofce; cfciwn thils 'morning.', and, as a result, the awia-rd will lapse. There was an acrimonious discussion, and reference to "open slather” at one stage. Tire- . Commissioner, (Mr Haffly), asked the union agents if there was any understanding amongst the leading members of the unions that they would, not accept the lower wages.

The agent replied: "I know - nothing, about such . .(a- thing.” Mr Hallly then asked .Mr Wright, secretary of the Employers’ Association,, if there was any general understanding among, the employers that, in the matter of wages, the question should mot be referred to the Court. Mr Wright: "I am not prepared to answer that question, which ha.s nothing to. do. wjth this dispute”. Mr Hally:: No, but it has a good deal to do with me sitting her©-at the expense .of the. Government.”, At. Mi' Hallvis. request the employers . retimed for a* consultation, and then announced,..that they were still decided not to refer the matter to the -Court. r ■ - . .!*■;-?* Mr Wright said that he felt That the present opposition to tile inevitable reductionof wages would not Irist long. The “first round” of tbe unions bad taken rnl'ace /aid tbe 1 “second rOund,” beginning.-with the in Wellington, would sitart next week. There was a possibility of an pgreemien.t bed,ug reached in that case, and that would set the lead. He felt that a. new basic, wage would he declared. Somehow nr other the emploveris had -beard rumours concerning the attitude of the unions. A union agent: "What rumours?” Mr Wright: . "That the unions are "ctivg on instructions from their political Tea'ders.” , The union agent: "That is silly.” He knieiw nothing of. such instructions.